Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Phoenix, AZ: $34.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Phoenix, AZ runs $34.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,432 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Phoenix's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,459 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, court reporters in Phoenix, Arizona, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $34.82, slightly below the national median of $35.96. This hourly wage supports various work arrangements, including part-time and per-diem roles that appeal to many in the profession. For example, a court reporter working three days a week could bring in a consistent income while maintaining flexible hours. Freelance opportunities in deposition conference rooms or CART services can also enhance earning potential, as the hourly pay fluctuates significantly—entry-level reporters start at around $20.20 per hour, while top earners can make as much as $53.98. Keeping in mind that these hourly rates derive from projected annual salary data, court reporters in Phoenix are well-positioned for a career that meets diverse financial and lifestyle needs.
About the Phoenix Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.20 | $161.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.18 | $209.43 |
| Median (P50) | $34.82 | $278.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.57 | $356.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.98 | $431.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Phoenix
Based on $34.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.82/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Phoenix, AZ can expect to earn approximately $72,431 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,787. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Phoenix.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Phoenix
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,392.91 | $6,036 | $72,431 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $835.74 | $3,622 | $43,459 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $557.16 | $2,414 | $28,972 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Phoenix) | $34.82 |
| Paralegal (National Avg) | $29.95 |
| Medical Transcriptionist (National Avg) | $19.96 |
| Legal Secretary (National Avg) | $26.86 |
| Interpreter / Translator (National Avg) | $28.15 |
Court Reporters in Phoenix, AZ earn a median of $72,432 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.15% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 8.20% above the Arizona state average of $66,942.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.82/hr = $43,459/year (purchasing power: $44,120).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,431/year (purchasing power: $73,534).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+13.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Phoenix (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Phoenix grew 6.1% from $31.77/hr (2019) to $33.72/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.96/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem court reporters can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Phoenix metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.27% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Court Reporter in Phoenix
Part-time court reporters operating in Phoenix at this median rate can earn around $43,435 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. The per diem court reporter pay in Phoenix varies considerably; reporters engaged in freelance deposition work can command payments between $400 and $800 for half-day sessions, reflecting the fluid nature of this occupation. Those specializing in realtime and CART live captioning may earn as much as $150 to $300 per hour, leading to a more lucrative path for those with the right certifications. Additionally, court reporters face choices between freelance and employed positions, each with benefits and drawbacks. For instance, state court system employees may accept lower hourly pay in exchange for health insurance, while independent reporters might prefer the flexibility of freelance work despite lacking benefits. Practical negotiation skills prove vital in this field to maximize earnings, ensuring court reporters in Phoenix can find the best match for their financial and professional goals.
More salary data for Phoenix, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Phoenix in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Phoenix?
Are court reporters in Phoenix paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Phoenix?
Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in Phoenix?
Related Pages
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Written by Maria Gomez, RPR
Career Analyst
Maria Gomez has 10 years of experience in court reporting. She specializes in transcription for civil litigation cases. She works in various courtrooms across the state.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.27% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for court reporters in Phoenix. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Phoenix is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.27%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for court reporters (SOC 27-3092).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gomez, RPR, a licensed court reporter with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov